Oregon
A Hiking Adventure Along Oregon's Central Coast
Program No. 4896RJ
Hike old-growth forests along the Oregon Coast as you learn about local ecosystems, explore coastal dunes. Choose from two hiking options of varying distances and elevations.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
3 expert-led lectures
8 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Florence, OR
Meals:
D
Stay:
Driftwood Shores Resort
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00 p.m. and Orientation: 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us in the hotel meeting room to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. We will meet in the hotel meeting room for orientation and time to meet the staff. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with two Instructors and a knowledgeable Group Leader who will provide educational content. Hiking field trips will be led by the Group Leader, Instructors, and local experts. Throughout the program, there will be areas where two hike choices will be provided with different distances, durations, and locations. Participants will select Group A or Group B and will stay with their hike leaders at all times. We will have boxed lunches in the field during hikes – no tables or chairs – and each of us will carry out any trash and all waste from our meals. Be sure to bring your personal, reusable water bottle. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel in our meeting room.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by our Group Leader and Instructors on outdoor safety. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Heceta Head Lighthouse, Ocean Views & Coastal Rainforests
Location:
Florence, OR
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Driftwood Shores Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 28 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Morning hike: 1.2 miles; paved or gravel surfaces; total elevation gain 75 feet. Afternoon hike: 4 miles, approximately 2 hours; variable terrain including forest trails with occasional tree roots and firm-packed sand; slight elevation gains. Group B: additional 0.6 miles, approximately 1 hour; variable terrain including hard-packed forest trail with occasional tree roots; elevation gain 285 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the meeting room for a presentation by our Instructor on Central Oregon Coast geology. We’ll then hop into vans and ride to historic Heceta Head Lighthouse, situated on a cliff 205 feet above the ocean. During our hike, we will learn about the history of the area, including this working lighthouse dating from 1894. We will also observe shore birds and have ocean views to be on the lookout for possible sightings of sea lions and gray whales.
Lunch:
In the keeper’s home at Heceta Head Lighthouse, one of the last remaining Lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast.
Afternoon:
Next, we will divide into two hiking groups. Both groups will hike 4 miles on the Valley Trail, Hobbit Trail, and ocean beach. Group B will hike an additional 0.6 miles (approximately one hour) on the China Creek Loop through lush coastal forests with moss-covered trees. Returning to the hotel, we will have some time to freshen up. We’ll gather in the hotel meeting room before dinner for a review of tomorrow’s hiking choices with our Group Leader and Instructors.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
3
Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, Giant Spruce & Old Growth Forests
Location:
Florence, OR
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Driftwood Shores Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Morning hike: 0.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; hard-packed gravel surface, slight elevation changes. Afternoon Group A: 4 miles, approximately 4 hours; paved asphalt and variable terrain forest trail over roots, rocks, stairs; up to 200 feet elevation gain. Afternoon Group B: 6.5 miles, approximately 4 hours; variable terrain forest trails with roots; elevation gain 1,100 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our vans and drive 25 miles north along scenic Oregon Coast Highway 101 to the 803-foot summit of Cape Perpetua. We’ll then walk together for about half a mile along the Whispering Spruce Trail, with incredible views of the coastline and a stop at a historic stone observation shelter built in the early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). We will then divide into our two hiking groups for the rest of the morning and into the afternoon. Group A will cover about 4 miles total, broken in segments of 2 miles each. In the first segment, we will hike on the Captain Cook, Cape Cove, and Restless Waters trails along the rocky basalt coastline with some stairs. In the second segment, we will hike on the Giant Spruce trail to an impressively large, 500-year old Sitka spruce. It stands more than 185 feet tall and has a circumference of 40 feet. Group B will cover about 6.5 miles over four hours, hiking on the Cook’s Ridge, Gwynn Creek, and Oregon Trail/Pioneer Road loop trail through lush old growth forests.
Lunch:
In the field, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Our Cape Perpetua hiking field trip will continue in two groups. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
We will enjoy a lecture given by a speaker from the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative.
Day
4
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Umpqua Lighthouse
Location:
Florence, OR
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Driftwood Shores Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 70 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Hiking 2-3 miles, approximately 2 hours; packed forest trail with loose sand, firm sand trail on beach; elevation gain 200 feet. Group B: Hiking 6.2 miles, approximately 4.5 hours; hard-packed forest trail followed by soft/firm sand trails; elevation gain 430 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our vans and drive south along scenic Oregon Coast Highway 101 to visit sites around Reedsport and Winchester Bay. We will explore the wind-swept dunes of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and visit vantage points to see the year-round population of Roosevelt Elk that live in this area. We will tour the Umpqua Lighthouse and learn about the history of this unique area where the Umpqua River empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Lunch:
In the field, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
We will enjoy hiking in the area on our way back to Florence. After our field trip, we’ll return to the hotel for the remainder of the afternoon. Take some time to rest at the hotel or explore Old Town Florence.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are many appealing local restaurants to choose from.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
5
Oregon Dunes Ride, Sweet Creek Falls Hike, Wrap-up
Location:
Florence, OR
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Driftwood Shores Resort
Activity Note
Getting in/out of vans; driving about 70 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Getting on/off a dune vehicle. Dress in layers for dune field trip. Afternoon hiking 3 miles, approximately 2 hours; mostly hard-packed forest trail with elevated catwalks, steps, tree roots, wet spots, some broken rock surfaces; elevation gain 280 feet.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will gather in the meeting room for a presentation by a local expert on topics relevant to the area. Following the presentation we will board our vans and ride south of Florence to the Sand Dunes Frontier. Here, we’ll climb aboard a large, slow-moving dune transport vehicle to explore the stunning dune geology. A local expert will discuss the past, present, and uncertain future of the Oregon Dunes. We’ll see grand vistas with great opportunities for photography. We’ll then drive 25 miles east into the coastal foothills to the Sweet Creek Falls trail, considered one of the best hikes on the Oregon Coast.
Lunch:
In the field, we will have boxed lunches.
Afternoon:
Next, we will walk up a 1.5-mile trail past thirteen cascading waterfalls to Sweet Creek Falls, then return via the same trail back to the trailhead. The trail surface is mostly hard-packed forest trail with elevated cat-walks, steps, tree roots, wet spots, and some broken rock surfaces with a 280-foot elevation gain. Returning to the hotel, we’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Back at the hotel, the Group Leader will lead a wrap-up session as we review highlights of the program. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Florence, OR
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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